i am in need of a good cheap engine hoist do you have any ideas should i go new or used

 

If you use it infrequently, a rental isn't a bad way to go.

 

Least here in Texas, PepBoys is selling a 2 ton, folding hoist for $119. I paid $199 for mine at Harbor Freight.

Sam

 

I paid a little over a hundred bucks for a folding type at a store like a AutoZone a little over a year ago, no problems at all with it. I would have to opt for new at these prices as your likely to buy one with a leaky ram if you find a reasonably priced used one.

 

oh yeh, and another thing.. the base legs on mine are a V shape, not U so its a pain to get the engine stand in between the legs to set/pickup the engine. Look for one with the U shaped wide spread legs

Mine has all turnable casters too.. very very useful over the ones with just 2 turnable on the leg ends

Sam

 

If you're likely to rent one more than 3 times, and have the storage space, you might as well buy one of the made-in-China hoists.
Or you could get by with a chain hoist and a tree branch or roof beam in the time-honoured redneck tradition.

 

Back in the day, I was getting tired of the rental costs
($30) so in my infinate wisdom I came up with a home grown solution.

I liberated a jack pole from the construction site up the street, cut a hole in the drywall ceiling of my fathers garage, laid the pole in the V of the rafter trusses above, wrapped a chain around it and hooked up the come-along.
A few hours later I had a complete 351C w/C6 and headers swinging from the garage ceiling. Need less to say my father was not amused!.

Having survived my teen years, I thought it wise to buy the $200 Arcan shop lift from Costco, folds up and stores easily. It has other uses around the house too, including pulling fence posts or unwanted street signs from your yard!